"There is no doubt that we are the World's Number One ODI team": Iftikhar Ahmed

[MenInG]

Iftikhar Ahmed speaking after the loss to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup:

"This was a tough match especially if we see how the match went to the end; We were all confident about winning this game."

"Zaman Khan on his debut was saying that Inshallah I will defend the total in the last over, even if I have 6-7 runs to play with then I will defend it".

"We need to reverse the momentum of the game, so I was trying to bowl with variation; I knew from my experience of playing in the LPL that you need to bowl here with variation so that the ball does not come on to the bat with ease."

"Rizwan played very well; I have played domestic and club cricket with him so we both have an idea of how to come out of such situations; So this is what we were saying that we needed to take the game deep; The way Rizwan played and I also contributed, I felt that the score was enough for this wicket but we must give credit to Sri Lanka as they played well"

"There is no doubt that we are the World's Number One ODI team, and we have played like the top team also, but these things happen in cricket; This defeat does not mean that all of us have dropped to a low level."

"Our team has the ability to play with spirit and the way were fighting and putting in our best, Inshallah I feel we will have a good result in the World Cup."

 

[Farah Sohail]

Which lala land these players are living in?

 

[BouncerGuy]

Well, we are not number 1 anymore. We are placed at number 3 after a dismal Asia Cup performance.

 

[Rana]

Iftikhar going down the same route as Rizwan with his interviews

 

[RyanRyan10]

Pakistan is currently ranked #3 in the ICC ODI Rankings.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan is currently ranked #3 in the ICC ODI Rankings.

He did not mean as per ICC numbers, it's a feeling amongst him and teammates.

Not literally.

 

[Usman Chadda]

He did not mean as per ICC numbers, it's a feeling amongst him and teammates.

Not literally.

These boys are something else MashaAllah. When the whole world has pretty much written them off from even competing in the World Cup with the big boys, they come up with these gems

 

[MenInG]

These boys are something else MashaAllah. When the whole world has pretty much written them off from even competing in the World Cup with the big boys, they come up with these gems

That's team dynamics 101

You have to believe in yourself.

 

[Usman Chadda]

That's team dynamics 101

You have to believe in yourself.

There is believing in yourself, then there's being completely delusional.

While they lack in skill very clearly, they also lack the mental fortitude of carrying any sort of expectations. This Asia Cup disaster might free up a few to play their natural game. We will be going in as underdogs and I am more than happy with that.

 

[sweep_shot]

Full-strength England are undisputed #1 in ODI regardless of what ranking says.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Potentially speaking they’re
Arguably the best white ball team in the world.

 

[Marooned]

Don chacha not afraid to go against the tide

 

[IAJ]

Which lala land these players are living in?

These jokers have even gone beyond lala land. They have been smashing minnow teams and bragging about this useless ranking.

 

[mominsaigol]

"Their is no doubt that we are the world's no 1 team"

^^ Press X to Doubt.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Just goes to show the obsession with rankings, not only from our deluded fans but our players.

Sometimes I envy teams like Sri Lanka. They go into every tournament as underdogs. Their players don’t get over hyped like ours do. They play crap in bilateral’s but always turn up in tournaments.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Seriously they all need a proper beating. Pathetic individuals and team. A shame on our country.

 

[PakPremi]

This is called zakham pey namak chirakna, need to stop boasting and start performing with victories when it matters.

 

[Marooned]

These jokers have even gone beyond lala land. They have been smashing minnow teams and bragging about this useless ranking.

Now it is useless
We used never to hear the end of number 8 ranked this number 8 ranked that.

 

[Devadwal]

Pakistan is currently ranked #3 in the ICC ODI Rankings.

They might become No. 1 today again as both Australia and India losing their match

 

[Major]

so what is he suppose to answer? no we a bad team?

 

[Abid Z]

The team needs to be able to hit more sixes and regularly score in excess of 300 (at least turn the strike over with 1’s and 2’s). The bowlers need to keep it tight and put pressure on the opposition with good wicket taking deliveries. That’s it. That’s what the best teams in the world are doing regularly day in day out.
Only Pakistan are unable to do this yet believe their own hype about being no 1. This is truly sad.

 

[Abid Z]

so what is he suppose to answer? no we a bad team?

No he needs to say there are areas to improve on. The bowling is really weak with only SSA and Rauf at par with the rest of the world. The rest are really not ready or talented enough.
He needs to say that the fielding is atrocious (we are working on it) allowing opposition to wriggle out of pressure situations
He needs to say the top order batsmen “are trying their best” to up the strike rate. That’s it.

 

[hassan918]

Team Pakistan was at number one only for a few days. They are not playing at the world's best team at the moment. Lost both their warm up matches and conceded nearly 700 runs in less than 95 overs.

 

[Rana]

Are you sure there is no doubt?

 

[Major]

Are you sure there is no doubt?

interview done on sept 15, today is oct 3rd

 

[Rana]

interview done on sept 15, today is oct 3rd

So there is a doubt 18 days later?

 

[Major]

So there is a doubt 18 days later?

not doubt, rankings are changing every week

 

[topspin]

interview done on sept 15, today is oct 3rd

Talk about clutching at straws. Imagine getting so defensive and coming up with this lame excuse just because he's the friend of your hero, Misbah.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Do we have a single intelligent individual in the squad? I feel not. It's full of yes men and fashionable boys who spend hours on Tiktok. Men win WCs boys go home in the group stages.

 

[Rana]

not doubt, rankings are changing every week

Are you also doubting it now?

 

[Mamoon]

You sure, Iftikhar?

 

[Mohraheem]

Bhai pehlai tu perform kr na

 

[Rana]

A beautiful world

A beautiful world where Pakistan is number 1

Where Babar is King, and Shadab is Wazir

Where Rizwan is Gilchrist, and Shaheen is Eagle

Where Iftikhar is Hulk Hogan, and Rauf is Shoaib Akhtar

Where Nawaz is the match winner, and Imam is Langer

 

[ex-q-zit]

so what is he suppose to answer? no we a bad team?

After this performance maybe Yes

 

[topspin]

Someone should ask him right after the tournament if he still thinks Pakistan are the best ODI team in the world.

 

[Major]

After this performance maybe Yes

Was this press conference happened in future? Did it happen after this performance?

 

[Sir Alex]

Full-strength England are undisputed #1 in ODI regardless of what ranking says.

This aged well

 

[Major]

Look at the context. Someone asked him about this. Now what is he suppose to sat? No we are a bad team?

 

[160KPH]

Look at the context. Someone asked him about this. Now what is he suppose to sat? No we are a bad team?

It is just so tiring at this point, no one can ever win with what they say. If Iftikhar, in response to the question, said "no, we are are not a good team" people would say that he's destroying our team confidence. If he shows confidence in the team in response to a question, people make fun of him for having confidence.

It feels like instead of people caring about cricket, they really just have some weird personal grievances with players. It makes the whole game and discussion exhausting. Also it is so strange that people here will show more happiness and joy when we lose than any time we win. When we win, some posters completely disappear and then as soon as we have a bad run suddenly the forum is active again with people coming in to rub it in. More annoying than the players playing bad is the nonstop negativity anytime you ever say something positive or good about the team or something good happens.

 

[kron]

It is just so tiring at this point, no one can ever win with what they say. If Iftikhar, in response to the question, said "no, we are are not a good team" people would say that he's destroying our team confidence. If he shows confidence in the team in response to a question, people make fun of him for having confidence.

It feels like instead of people caring about cricket, they really just have some weird personal grievances with players. It makes the whole game and discussion exhausting. Also it is so strange that people here will show more happiness and joy when we lose than any time we win. When we win, some posters completely disappear and then as soon as we have a bad run suddenly the forum is active again with people coming in to rub it in. More annoying than the players playing bad is the nonstop negativity anytime you ever say something positive or good about the team or something good happens.

It's mostly Indians. Yea we know they are a good team but they still need to win ko matches. All these efforts would be futile if they can't win. India haven't won a title in 10 years. They were number 1 in tests for 5 years but I am sure it must hurt not being able to get over the final hurdle twice in wtc despite the whole concept of wtc being rubbish in reality. It must still sting them.

They shouldn't be so arrogant about it lol is all I am saying. Half their players are chokers. Let's wait till they win first before proclaiming them as some goat team.

As for us, nothing wrong in what ifti said to the media. This was a while ago. You are absolutely right. What else is he meant to say? Oh no I am terrible, my team is crap?

 

[Thanos]

It's mostly Indians. Yea we know they are a good team but they still need to win ko matches. All these efforts would be futile if they can't win. India haven't won a title in 10 years. They were number 1 in tests for 5 years but I am sure it must hurt not being able to get over the final hurdle twice in wtc despite the whole concept of wtc being rubbish in reality. It must still sting them.

They shouldn't be so arrogant about it lol is all I am saying. Half their players are chokers. Let's wait till they win first before proclaiming them as some goat team.

As for us, nothing wrong in what ifti said to the media. This was a while ago. You are absolutely right. What else is he meant to say? Oh no I am terrible, my team is crap?

Lol, Kuch bhi. What does India has to do here about what Ifti said and if someone bumped the thread after Pak's poor performance yesterday?

 

[cricketjoshila]

It's mostly Indians. Yea we know they are a good team but they still need to win ko matches. All these efforts would be futile if they can't win. India haven't won a title in 10 years. They were number 1 in tests for 5 years but I am sure it must hurt not being able to get over the final hurdle twice in wtc despite the whole concept of wtc being rubbish in reality. It must still sting them.

They shouldn't be so arrogant about it lol is all I am saying. Half their players are chokers. Let's wait till they win first before proclaiming them as some goat team.

As for us, nothing wrong in what ifti said to the media. This was a while ago. You are absolutely right. What else is he meant to say? Oh no I am terrible, my team is crap?

Pakistan team hasn't even qualified for WTC. They get white washed at home.

Have qualified for semis of the WC only once in last 20 years.

And you are talking about India.

 

[kron]

Pakistan team hasn't even qualified for WTC. They get white washed at home.

Have qualified for semis of the WC only once in last 20 years.

And you are talking about India.

Thats right. But we have atleast won an icc event in the last 10 years.

We aren't good enough at this moment and we need a major overhaul.

India have even fantastic but are struggling to win in that final stage. Maybe this is their year.

 

[BouncerGuy]

What an innings by @GlenMaxwell today, its a showcase of top class power hitting, well deserved win for Australia!

I expect Iftikhar Ahmad to play a similar role for our team, he definitely has the capability to do so and the pitches are curated for power hitting, we all need…

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 25, 2023

 

[mominsaigol]

Look at the context. Someone asked him about this. Now what is he suppose to sat? No we are a bad team?

He can just say we are a good team and we hope to do our best to make our nation proud this world cup. Its a more realistic answer.

Saying their is No Doubt that we are the best team on the face of the earth is delusional and living on cloud 9. Even if they were truly the best team like classic Australia or classic West Indies, it would still be disrespectful to other teams.

You don't see Australia even at peak saying yh we goated, everyone else is Fodder.

 

[emranabbas]

He can just say we are a good team and we hope to do our best to make our nation proud this world cup. Its a more realistic answer.

Saying their is No Doubt that we are the best team on the face of the earth is delusional and living on cloud 9. Even if they were truly the best team like classic Australia or classic West Indies, it would still be disrespectful to other teams.

You don't see Australia even at peak saying yh we goated, everyone else is Fodder.

I've never heard virat say I'm the one of the best batsmen in the workd even though he is

He let's his bat do the talking

 

[JaDed]

It's mostly Indians. Yea we know they are a good team but they still need to win ko matches. All these efforts would be futile if they can't win. India haven't won a title in 10 years. They were number 1 in tests for 5 years but I am sure it must hurt not being able to get over the final hurdle twice in wtc despite the whole concept of wtc being rubbish in reality. It must still sting them.

They shouldn't be so arrogant about it lol is all I am saying. Half their players are chokers. Let's wait till they win first before proclaiming them as some goat team.

As for us, nothing wrong in what ifti said to the media. This was a while ago. You are absolutely right. What else is he meant to say? Oh no I am terrible, my team is crap?

As an Indian fan Aus series win > WTC for me. I would also take Test series wins in NZ,SA and England over the same.

I’m sure many would not feel the same but at least that’s what i grew up with and want to see.

 

[mominsaigol]

I've never heard virat say I'm the one of the best batsmen in the workd even though he is

He let's his bat do the talking

Ifti just had to say we will do our best and inshallah Allah will guide us.

What's all this, we are the best, we will dominate, every team is Fodder prey nonsense.

 

[Saj]

Number one side after beating weakened sides. That's now evident isn't it.

 

[JaDed]

Number one side after beating weakened sides. That's now evident isn't it.

Your tweet(critique )on number 1 ODI ranking is being shared across famous Indian Social media pages. lol

I think no one else takes any other Pakistani sports journalist seriously anymore except you.

 

[Mohraheem]

What’s the excuse today ???

 

[aukhan]

Who told him to make such tall claims?

PCB should restrict these gawar cricketers from speaking to the media or making childish claims on social media.

 

[Kianig89]

Should not ever play this format again for Pakistan a poor man's hafeez

 

[hassan918]

Ifitkhar Ahmed spoke about Pakistan players eating Biryani during a media interaction. This is what he siaid:

"If Pakistan wins, then people don't say 'they eat Biryani' but when we lose, why do people say 'they eat Biryani'? Answer me this question"

"This is not the case"

"As a professional, every cricketer looks at himself and if someone does something bad which spoils the reputation of the country like eating Biryani, then we are against that"

 

[hitthestump]

Ifitkhar Ahmed spoke about Pakistan players eating Biryani during a media interaction. This is what he siaid:

"If Pakistan wins, then people don't say 'they eat Biryani' but when we lose, why do people say 'they eat Biryani'? Answer me this question"

"This is not the case"

"As a professional, every cricketer looks at himself and if someone does something bad which spoils the reputation of the country like eating Biryani, then we are against that"

Long story short - he is confirming that Pakistan players have been gorging on local unhealthy food rather than observing a proper nutritional diet.

And what’s worse is that he appears to be trying to defend it.

These players are hopeless.